edible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'edible' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is safe to eat or drink. For example: "I was relieved to find out that the fruits in the grocery store were edible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dinner conversation covered much ground; technology and social media, space travel, edible schoolyards, an upcoming trip to Joshua Tree national park in California, and music sales in Russia — it was a lively meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As we weave between highway lanes towards the coast, Guzman explains he is currently creating an encyclopedia of Chilean food, called Endemics, about the country's edible ingredients and lost recipes.

The Guardian - Travel

It was possible, he added, the plant-produced oil might overcome one of the major downsides of edible fish oil: the strong taste.

The Guardian

Gourmet magazine's description – "a salad packed into an edible container" – sums them up nicely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Edible Eastside is an urban garden project in Digbeth combining gardening and art; its monthly First Friday event hosts a mini food fair and outdoor film screenings.

The Guardian - Travel

Watch out for button batteries and burst balloons – both highly edible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hand the barman at Movida £35,000 and he would mix up a a shot of Louis XII cognac, some Cristal Rose, a few flakes of edible gold leaf and at the bottom of the glass a diamond ring.

The Guardian

But let's start from the bottom up and make mussels, clams, oysters and edible seaweeds the cornerstone from which we build our program.

The Guardian

Maurizio points out strange lichens, trees and plants: Indian bread, an edible (but tasteless) fungus; winter's bark, a source of vitamin C; and at one point explains at length how an entire ecosystem has developed on a single fallen log.

The Guardian - Travel

One-sixth of the final yield comes from locally harvested cassava, which requires farmers to plant in rotation with other edible crops to keep the soil fertile.

The Guardian

You might be served edible begonia flowers or the leaves of the "oyster plant" that tastes (bizarrely) of its namesake.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or plants, use "edible" to clearly indicate that it is safe for consumption. Avoid using it interchangeably with "delicious", as "edible" only refers to safety, not taste.

Common error

Don't assume that because something is "edible", it will automatically taste good. "Edible" only means that it is safe to eat. If you want to convey that something tastes pleasant, use adjectives like "delicious", "tasty", or "flavorful".

Linguistic Context

The word "edible" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is safe for consumption. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by examples like "edible fruit" and "edible fish oil".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Travel

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "edible" is widely recognized and used to describe something safe to consume. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct. Predominantly featured in News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle contexts, "edible" effectively conveys information about food safety. It's crucial to distinguish its meaning (safe for consumption) from that of "delicious" (pleasant taste). Related terms include "safe to eat" and "fit for consumption", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Overall, "edible" is a versatile term applicable across various contexts, especially where clarity about the safety of eating something is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

safe to eat

Focuses on the safety aspect of consumption, suitable when highlighting potential dangers.

eatable

A direct synonym, but less frequently used than "edible".

fit for consumption

A more formal alternative, often used in official or scientific contexts.

suitable for ingestion

Similar to 'fit for consumption' but is generally used for medical explanations.

consumable

A broader term that includes both food and drink, and sometimes other items intended to be used up.

good to eat

A simple and informal alternative, suitable for everyday conversation.

palatable

Emphasizes the pleasantness of the taste or texture, not just safety.

food-grade

Refers to ingredients or materials that meet safety standards for use in food products.

non-toxic

Highlights the absence of poisonous substances, suitable for technical descriptions.

harmless to ingest

A more cautious and technical way of saying "safe to eat".

FAQs

How can I use "edible" in a sentence?

Use "edible" to describe something that is safe to eat. For example, "Are these berries "edible", or are they poisonous?"

What can I say instead of "edible"?

You can use alternatives like "safe to eat", "fit for consumption", or "consumable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "edible" or "eatable"?

Both "edible" and "eatable" are correct, but "edible" is more commonly used and generally preferred in formal writing. "Eatable" is considered a more archaic term.

What's the difference between "edible" and "palatable"?

"Edible" means something is safe to eat, while "palatable" means something is pleasant to taste. A food can be "edible" but not "palatable" if it is safe but tastes bad.